A fine of $5,000 was imposed in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, on a man who shoplifted several items from a supermarket, purporting that he is normally given the "option to pay" for the items.

Charged with simple larceny is Peter Plummer, a barber and graphic artist. A psychiatric evaluation which was also done on him revealed that he was fit to plea.

The court heard that on two separate occasions, Plummer went into a Hi-Lo supermarket where, on the first occasion, he stole a pack of Milo and a tin of Lasco sausage, reportedly valued at $500. On the second occasion, he stole a pack of Planter's peanut butter also valued at $500.

When Plummer had previously appeared in court, he told the sitting magistrate, Simone Wolfe-Reece, that he would normally go the supervisors of the supermarket who would give him the "option to pay".

Senior Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey subsequently told him that he should stick to his trade and ordered that he pay the fine or serve six months' imprisonment.